Dewees Island Game Fish & Shellfish

Dewees Island Game Fish & Shellfish

Red Drum Also called: spottail, spottail bass, channel bass, redfish, puppy drum Limit: 2 per person, per day Size: 15-inch minimum, 24-inch maximum Remarks: Red drum are estuarine dependent, meaning they rely on the protection and nutrition offered by the estuary during the early stages of their life cycle. This species feeds on crabs, shrimp, and baitfish such as mullet and menhaden. The signature spot on either side of a red drum s tail may help confuse and deter predators.

Spotted Seatrout Also called: trout, speckled trout Limit: 10 per person, per day Size: 13-inch minimum Remarks: Adult trout feed mainly on small fish and shrimp. Spotted seatrout may live 8 10 years, remaining in estuarine and nearshore habitat nearly all of this time. The minimum size limit allows most individuals to spawn at least once before reaching harvestable size.

Flounder Local species include: summer flounder and southern flounder Limit: 20 per person, per day Size: 12-inch minimum Remarks: Flounder are well-equipped ambush predators. For example, flounder are able to camouflage with their surroundings by changing color. Also, a flounder develops to lie flat on the bottom with both eyes on 1 side of its head. Large, sharp teeth allow the flounder to quickly grab and consume prey. Flounder are taken on rod and reel and by gigging.

Atlantic Sharpnose Shark Limit: 2 per person, per day (state waters) Remarks: Most 12 14-inch sharks caught in SC s inshore and nearshore waters are the Atlantic sharpnose, which are easily identified by size and by the black markings on the edges of the tail and dorsal fin. Juvenile sharpnose sharks are abundant in SC waters from May to July and are often a nuisance to anglers. The adults of this species occur offshore, but travel inshore to birth their young, which remain in the estuary through the summer.

Bonnethead Shark Limit: 1 per person, per day Remarks: Bonnethead sharks are the smallest member of the hammerhead family. They are commonly found in SC s inshore waters during the summer and move south in the winter. Bonnetheads can be seen cruising shallow waters and edges of oyster beds searching for blue crabs. They also eat small fish and shrimp. Bonnetheads are one of the most commonly caught and observed sharks around Dewees. They are harmless to humans.

Blue Crab mature male mature female Size: Minimum 5-inch carapace width (point-topoint) Remarks: The blue crab s scientific name, Callinectus sapidus, translates to savory beautiful swimmer. These are considered swimming crabs, as the ends of the fifth pair of legs are paddle-like, allowing a blue crab to swim rather than crawl on the bottom. Male crabs have an apron on their undersides that mimics the Washington Monument, while females resemble the Capital Building dome. All female blue crabs and stone crabs with egg masses must be returned to the water immediately.

Stone Crab Must be a minimum of 2 ¾ inches in length. Size: One claw only, minimum 2 ¾ forearm Remarks: Stone crabs are the largest member of the mud crab family. They have thick bodies and stout claws. Dewees s oyster beds, pilings, and mud banks are ideal habitats for stone crabs. Only the claws are edible. Removing one claw allows the crab to defend itself ; a new claw regenerates in 1 2 years. The claws are capable of exerting 14,000 pounds/square inch of pressure, thus handling stone crabs should be done with caution. All female blue crabs and stone crabs with egg masses must be returned to the water immediately.

Clams Limit: ½ US bushel per person, per day Size: 1-inch minimum thickness Remarks: Clams occur in groups in where the bottom is a mixture of sand and shell material. Spawning occurs in the spring through midsummer, which is one reason why the clamming season is closed from May 15 to September 1. Harvesting of clams in SC waters requires a saltwater fishing license.

Oysters Limit: 2 US bushels per person, per day Remarks: Oyster larvae swim using tiny appendages called cilia, and are carried by tides and currents. After 3 4 weeks, the young oysters settle. A hard substrate is necessary for oysters to survive and grow. Usually the shells of other oysters are used as the foundation for new oysters to develop. The resulting oyster beds are essential to protecting the salt marsh from erosion, and provide habitat to juvenile fish and crabs.